This article is based on a real-life Facebook chat session I recently had with a prospect. It will benefit YOU:
(a). If your work involves managing salaries/payroll – because it answers questions about using Excel automation to make your work easier and less time consuming.
(b) If as a website owner you want an insider understanding of how you can handle enquiries that result from use of a Web Marketing System. I’ve written in the past about how having a Web Marketing System can help you generate pre-qualified sales leads (i.e. people looking for solutions you offer come looking for you) – even while you sleep.
The enquirer apparently came across write-ups I’d done on the subject (like this PDF). Then he sent me a Facebook friend request, and initiated an impromptu chat within a few hours after I accepted his request. In essence, the WMS enables you present yourself in a way that boosts your credibility. In the long run, that will lead to sales.
The Chat Begins
<Initial greetings deleted>
Prospect: Got some good stuff about you through the internet and am happy that I can chat with you now
Tayo Solagbade (Me): That’s good to know. Please to be able to chat with you as well
Prospect: but I have some questions. Your post about how to use excel to generate payslip fascinates me
Tayo Solagbade (Me): It’s a post that’s based on real life applications I built that have been used by my clients since 2007 – including 2 hospitals that have over 100 staff
Prospect: I maintain payroll of about three thousand five hundred staff, can I generate payslip for these at a go?
Tayo Solagbade (Me): I offer customization of my applications to suit their unique needs
Prospect: I maintain payroll of about three thousand five hundred staff, can I generate payslip for these at a go?
Tayo Solagbade: You seem to have repeated your question. But I’ll rephrase mine. I use VBA code to make the preparation of pay slips dynamic. So, in the advanced version of my apps, it would not matter what number of people you have. As long as they are in the app’s records table, it will pick them one after the other and feed them to the print0ready payslip interface. Indeed, if you wish, the application can be further extended to generate PDF files stored in a predetermined location where you can go late to print selectively.
Prospect: Ok. But can data from excel be uploaded into your apps records table?
Tayo Solagbade (Me):Yes.
Prospect: Pls, how long will you take to teach me how to
Tayo Solagbade (Me): How to do do what?
Prospect: How to use VBA code to generate pay slips for the three thousand, five hundred staff
Tayo Solagbade (Me): You have to buy my app – and order a customization. Except you want me to teach you how to build YOUR own app using Excel-VB. The latter will take more time, depending on your current level of expertise in the use of Excel. I have a method for establishing that.
As a rule, I prefer working with people who have an advanced knowledge of MS Excel, and have at least done a little Macro recording based automation. It;s not easy – but those who apply themselves can learn.
If you want a quick solution, with minimal trial and error, I suggest you order a customized version of my existing app.
Prospect: Pls, how much will it cost me to buy your application and order a customization or what will it cost me to learn how to build my own app using excel VBA?
Tayo Solagbade (Me): One moment. Just trying to find a generic email I normally send to enquirers
Prospect: Okay
Tayo Solagbade (Me): Decided to do short note at the start – the email comes AFTER it. I’m late for an appointment at the Nigerian embassy. Will have to log off the laptop. But I’ll still be able to respond to you via my Blackberry. It may take longer though.
Just ignore the name in the message.
Regarding the fees:
Option 1: You asked “how much will it cost me to buy your application and order a customization”
The advanced Excel-VB driven Payslip Generator sells for N50K as is (I just add your company name, logo, and help you transfer your records from your Excel file into the app – at NO CHARGE).
Depending on what you want application to do, the fee for customization starts from N50k It can go as far as N250K – based on past projects I’ve had to work on for clients – including a National Primary Health Care Database (NPHCDA) project that lasted from 2008 till 2012.
It handles over 50,000 records of medical facilities/personnel – including picture displays.
Option 2: Or what will it cost me to learn how to build my own app using excel VBA?
Coaching on Excel-VB solutions development starts from N100k – depending on what you will be taught.
I go about it by offering 2 aspects:
a. Theoretical coaching – on the basics and language. It comes with plenty of reading and practical exercises, designed to help you get a firm grasp of the important concepts – especially worksheet design logic and use of VBA to eliminate routine and repetitive tasks
b. Field Project – you will tell me a specific application you want to build from scratch that will be useful to you. I will then guide YOU to build it over time. You will let me see stages of your work progress, and I will give you feedback and pointers.
Until the final app is born. If need be, I’ll help you tweak it to function better or look “prettier”. Whatever I do, I’ll explain why, and how you can do it yourself.
After the training ends, I become available to you for an additional 6 months – via email, phone/Skype – at no extra charge, to help you hone your skills.
Duration will depend on you. But standard duration is 2 months – and you set the pace. We meet for 48 hours over those 2 months – be it online or in person. In between meetings, you’ll be doing LOTs of small exercises to help you master aspects of Excel-VB programming. It WILL be challenging. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll enjoy it and you’ll learn.
Got to go. Will respond by smart phone if you have more questions
Below is the generic email with some links…(it gives details of what you also get when you pay)
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Hi Prakash,
<text deleted>
In your message, you mentioned being a Training Manager and you requested to download the tutorials offered on my website – which were delivered to you via autoresponse.
I’ve recently decided to offer on demand one-on-one coaching in Excel VB driven software development to interested persons online.
How It Works
You tell me what you want to learn or be able to do with MS Excel. I’ll give you my insights and opinion to complement your expressed needs.
Then if we agree to go forward, I’ll produce easy to follow custom PDF guides and video tutorials for you, that you’ll be able to use repeatedly. And I’ll also be available via email and Skype phone/ chat to provide any support you need as you carry out practical exercises I’ll give you.
Everything I teach you will be based on the real life experience and knowledge I’ve gained from developing custom Excel software for users and clients for well over 15 years.
##Testimonial from a buyer of my Excel software##
Here’s a testimonial from a recent buyer after I sent him the new free upgrade version of my popular Ration Formulator:
=Starts=
“Hi Tayo,
Thanks for the updates. I have used it with satisfaction and transferred all my data to this 2013 version.
We are getting more and more familiar with it.
Its flexibility allows to adapt the results to our needs and possibilities. I am amazed.”
Read the full testimonial at:
##
If this Excel Software Development Coaching Offer is something that interests you, and you’d like to take it further, just reply to this email stating your specific interests or needs, and any questions you have.
(NB: I’ve included below, links to videos and detail pages showing examples of the kind of applications I can teach you to build.)
I look forward to working with you.
With kindest regards,
Tayo K. Solagbade*
Performance Improvement Specialist & Multipreneur
*Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service (www.speakingsuccess.com) In Africa
Mobile: 234-803-302-1263
Email: tayo at spontaneousdevelopment dot com
Web: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/
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###PS: The following might interest you..Two Examples Of Excel Software Types You Can Learn To Build###
1. Automated Ration Formulator
Visit the page below to watch a demonstration video for a new free upgrade version of my popular Excel VB driven Feed Formulation Software :
I’ve been selling it online since 2007. It’s one of my simpler, less sophisticated applications. I can teach you how to build something similar.
You can get about it from
http://iff.spontaneousdevelopment.com/wp/feed-formulation/
Download the PDF guide from:
http://www.tinyurl.com/rfpdf2013
2. Custom Automated Hospital Financial Records Manager
You can also learn to build a highly sophisticated application with automated charting and advanced modeless data entry forms like the one in this application I built for a large hospital here in Lagos.
Click the link below to watch the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUl4_RAja-g
3. Advanced Payslip Generator Tutorial
My custom payslip generators have been purchased by companies with up to 120 employees to cater for since 2007.
Visit the tutorial offer page for my advanced payslip generator software development coaching at:
http://www.tinyurl.com/PayslipTutor
There are 2 detailed videos on that page that show features and functions you can learn to incorporate into your own Excel software.
The Facebook Chat Then Ends…
Tayo Solagbade (Me):Am off
Prospect: Thanks sir, I’ll get back to you in due time.
Final Words
Like I said at the start of this piece, you may not close every sales opportunity the WMS brings to you. But over time, if you diligently work to “converse effectively” with such prospects, you WILL close more sales.
If you need help setting up a Web Marketing System (which comes with a FREE website) for your company, or with building a Payslip Generator to handle your payroll preparation, click here to contact me.